Vaping and smoking: Young people who vape are nearly three times more likely to take up smoking, develop asthma and struggle with mental health compared with those who don’t use e-cigarettes, according to the largest evidence review yet on youth vaping.
The umbrella study, published in the journal Tobacco Control, reviewed 56 previous studies and found strong, consistent links between e-cigarette use and harmful outcomes, including respiratory illnesses, coughs, injuries, oral health issues, and substance use.
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Asthma was the most frequently reported condition, with vaping tied to a 20%–36% higher risk of diagnosis and a 44% risk of worsening symptoms.
Dr. Su Golder, associate professor of health sciences at the University of York and lead author, said, “The consistency in the evidence is striking. Across multiple studies, young people who use e-cigarettes are more likely to smoke in the future. These findings support stronger public health measures to protect teens from the risks associated with vaping.”
Public health experts warn that vapes, while less harmful than cigarettes, may be acting as a “gateway” to smoking. The World Health Organization has already described the global rise in youth vaping as “alarming”.
While researchers stressed that most of the existing evidence is observational and cannot prove vaping directly causes smoking, they said precautionary policies are essential.
